Cuba faces nationwide blackouts amid US oil blockade

Cuba's national power grid has collapsed, triggering widespread blackouts across the island as the country grapples with fuel shortages stemming from the long-standing US oil embargo. The blockade, in place for decades, severely restricts Cuba's ability to import petroleum, leaving the government unable to adequately fuel power plants that generate electricity for the population. The blackouts affect hospitals, water treatment facilities, and essential services, compounding economic hardship for Cuban citizens already struggling with shortages of food and medicines. Cuba's aging infrastructure and limited access to foreign currency make it difficult to repair damaged equipment or secure alternative energy sources. The outages underscore the vulnerability of Cuba's centrally planned economy to external pressure and internal deterioration of critical systems.